Radiola’s History
We’re proud to take our name from the early days of radio, tracing our origins back to the beginning of the 1900s.
Our origins
1902
Italian radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi transmits the world’s first “wireless telegraphy” – “radio” message across the Atlantic Ocean.
Amalgamated Wireless (Australia) Ltd and Amalgamated Wireless Australia (NZ) Ltd, known as “AWA”, are formed in Australia and New Zealand to design and build electronic equipment for the new field of wireless telegraphy – radio.
1913
1921
“Radiola” name is coined by Dr Alfred N Goldsmith while working for the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) as director of research. Radiola becomes the trusted brand name for a range of consumer broadcast radio products that will be manufactured worldwide for the next 50 years. RCA had no manufacturing facilities and all Radiola models were made by other manufacturers, AWA becoming one in Australia sometime later.
New Zealand Broadcasting Service is founded and commences broadcast radio services to the public.
1936
30s-50s
Broadcast radio stations are established in all main cities and towns in New Zealand and AWA imports Radiola models for the fast-growing local market.
AWA supplies first ATC radar system to NZ CAA.
1950
1960
Allied Industries Ltd, a subsidiary of Fisher and Paykel Ltd manufactures Radiola models in Auckland for AWA under licence.
AWA starts manufacturing communications radio equipment in New Zealand.
1965
1974
AWA builds head office and factory in Porirua.
Brent Albiston joins AWA (NZ) Ltd; the company is designing and manufacturing communications radios, high-quality hi-fi stereo systems and car radios in Porirua with TVs being made by Allied Industries Ltd in Auckland.
1975
1987
Brent becomes General Manager of AWA (NZ) Ltd.
AWA (NZ) Ltd’s turnover is $95M.
1988
Late 80s
Management buyout of consumer and communications divisions of AWA (NZ) Ltd by Brent and key staff. One of the conditions of sale is to introduce a company name change.
Radiola gets ISO 9001 certification.
1991
1993
Name changed to Radiola Corporation Ltd. The company specialises in the importing and distribution of consumer electronics, car stereos and microwave radio systems.
Richard Thompson joins Radiola bringing with him flight inspection expertise.
1993
Mid 90s
Radiola enters the flight inspection and calibration business in local New Zealand market.
Radiola begins the aviation navigation systems integration business including maintenance and support services.
1995
1996
Radiola gets New Zealand CAA PART 171 certification.
Radiola enters international market – first customer is Fiji, then Vanuatu
1998
2003
Name changed to Radiola Aerospace Ltd to enable a management buyout of the defence and aerospace division of Radiola Corporation Ltd. Brent and Richard are the Directors.
Expansion of the defence and aerospace division into further international markets including Australia, Bangladesh, Asia, Africa, UK, Caribbean, Afghanistan, Iraq, Middle East, and South America.
2003
2005
Radiola gets ICAO certification.
Radiola sets up land division – first contract with Waikato Regional Council in New Zealand to provide a real time (passenger) information system for its bus network.
2005
2006
Radiola Aerospace wins Emerging Gold Award at the Wellington Gold Awards and is named Emerging Exporter of the Year at the Wellington Region Export Awards.
Radiola gets OTAR PART 173 certification.
2009
2011
Radiola gets UKCAA CAP 670 certification.
Radiola deploys world’s first ever all-female flight inspection crew mission to North Africa.
2014
2017
Radiola gets CASA PNG PART 171 certification.
Name changed to Radiola Ltd to reflect the equal aspects of Aerospace and Land within the company.
2019
2020
Dynamis® software-as-a-service product launched as a cutting-edge solution for real time information for public transport.
Land division expands into local New Zealand market.
2020
2020-2022
Aerospace division successfully navigates the challenges of working internationally through the global Covid-19 pandemic.
Stephen Willson joins Radiola as Chief Executive.
2022